Surface Ripples

Remote Working – Here to Stay?

The country where I live and work is moving out of ‘pandemic’ and into ‘endemic’ procedures as it’s achieved a vaccination rate of over 80% of the general population.  With the vaccination of 12–17-year-olds having received their first dose in November, this rate will increase dramatically as they get their second dose. 

The country is slowly getting back on its economic feet after 2 waves of coronavirus and – contagious and dangerous third waves permitting – can now look to how things will go.

One thing is for certain: there will, of necessity, be more ‘remote’ activity.  This will mean that many organisations will have to develop rules, guidelines and policies for Working from Home (WFH).  Most of us are used to the concept of showing up at the workplace and have been brought up in the tradition that the boss has to see us for use to get raises, promotions and other rewards.  

The situation has changed now, in that remote working, once the preserve of a select few, will now become commonplace, particularly if governments and businesses are to continue to operate.  The excuse of ‘social distancing measures’ to justify substandard performance will not be tolerated much longer.  As technology has improved, so has the ability of many to WFH.

Organisations will need to deal with:

• People wanting to WFH as a ‘right’ rather than a ‘privilege’
• Putting in place technical and logistical support for those working remotely
• Judging and promoting workers effectively through their outputs rather than the fact that they turn up before and leave after the boss
• ‘Office politics’ becoming a thing of the past
• Needing less physical space in which to work

I’m not advocating a total absence of all workers all the time.  For one thing, we’ll all need to meet an ‘brainstorm’ and for another, most of us enjoy being with colleagues.

The next few years will see a radical shift in workplace and customer patterns.  The more that ca be delivered remotely, the better a business’ chances of surviving. 

How can we all adapt, based on our circumstances?

I’ve spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website provides a full picture of my portfolio of services.  For strategic questions that you should be asking yourself, follow me at @wkm610.

Labels: Career, Customer Care, Leadership, Productivity, Selling, Strategy, Teamwork

posted by William Martin @ 14:51